WHO I FISHED WITH: This afternoon, Wednesday, March 15, I fished with Mr. Ronnie White and his three grandsons, Reid (age 15), Braxton (age 12), and Brayton (age 10).
Ronnie is retired and routinely makes use of the Lake Belton RV camping areas. This week he was based at Live Oak Ridge Park, and was enjoying spending spring break with the boys, all of whom attend school in Academy, Texas.
Here’s how the fishing went…
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Peak spring dates are just about gone. Here’s an up-to-date calendar so you can check availability: https://holdingthelineguideservice.com/available-dates.php
Next available dates are 23, 29 & 31 March
PHOTO CAPTION: From left: Reid, Ronnie, Braxton, and Brayton — a mess ‘o Whites with a mess o’ white bass.
PHOTO CAPTION: Reid White landed this 8.00 pound blue cat at the final bell.
WHERE WE FISHED: Lake Belton
WHEN WE FISHED: Wednesday, 15 March 2023 (PM)
HOW WE FISHED:
After a pretty tough morning, the fishing remained challenging into the first 90 minutes of this afternoon’s trip. I explained to my crew of four that it would take persistence, diligence, and attention to detail when it came to technique in order to do well this afternoon.
I could tell by their eagerness that the boys were up for the challenge. We worked white, 5/8 ounce Bladed Hazy Eye Slabs 100% of the time this afternoon, using a slow-smoking tactic.
Until approximately 6 PM, all of our fish came from small schools from off the bottom. From 6 PM to 7:30PM, a very definite uptick began to take place as the light began to fail, enhanced by thickening, gray cloud cover.
As this dimming of the light began, the fish began to suspend as much as 7 feet up off the bottom, and they became much more aggressive simultaneously. We fished quite a number of areas prior to 6 PM, but then only moved twice thereafter.
Our catch of 128 fish consisted of one 8-pound blue cat, 10 short hybrid, and 117 white bass.
TALLY: 128 fish caught and released
Find Bladed Hazy Eye Slabs here: https://whitebasstools.com/
OBSERVATIONS: Fewer and fewer fish are lingering in deep water (over 30′) as the water warms and daylength increases. Many caught fish were oozing eggs or milt today.
WEATHER DATA:
Start Time: 3:20P
End Time: 7:30P
Air Temp. @ Trip’s Start: 70F
Elevation: 14.1 feet low, 24 CFS flow, .05′ fall over the last 24 hrs.
Water Surface Temp: 59.4F on the surface
Wind Speed & Direction: ESE16-17 all afternoon
Sky Condition: 100% moderate grey cloud cover.
Moon Phase: Last quarter moon at 45% illumination.
GT = 50
Wx SNAPSHOT:
AREAS FISHED WITH SUCCESS:
Area 1544 – 6 fish
Area 1562 – 16 fish
Area B01786 – 11 fish
Area 1909 – 6 fish
Area B0187G – 4 fish
Area 0147 – 32 fish
Area 295 – 18 fish
Area B0011C to B0155G – 35 fish
Bob Maindelle
Full-time, Professional Fishing Guide and Owner of Holding the Line Guide Service
Belton Lake Fishing Guide, Stillhouse Hollow Fishing Guide
254.368.7411 (call or text)
Website: www.HoldingTheLineGuideService.com
E-mail: Bob@HoldingTheLineGuideService.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/bobmaindelle
Twitter: www.twitter.com/bobmaindelle
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